Experience HuaBin Culture: Golf Goddesses Journey from Beijing to Poetic Jiangnan in a Second

Amidst the blooming flowers and sweet fragrance of early summer, as June embraces the Jiangnan region, four golf goddesses participating in the 2024 HuaBin China Ladies Elite Tournament experienced a magical transition from Beijing to the picturesque Jiangnan on June 25th. Dressed in elegant cheongsams, Liu Wenbo, Sui Xiang, Cai Danlin, and Thai player Kultida Pramphun joined the “Cheer for the Olympics” artists’ sketching session at HuaBin Jiangnan Jin, immersing themselves deeply into HuaBin’s culture.

The players first followed Deputy General Manager of Beijing HuaBin International Golf Club, Tian Ye, to Hole 18 of the Golden Bear Course, where they learned about the history of HuaBin Ecological Park’s efforts in sandstorm prevention and control. “This area used to be a notorious windblown sandy region in Changping District of Beijing. Under the leadership of Chairman Yan Bin and through the continuous efforts of HuaBin people over three decades, with the support of society, it has been transformed into today’s HuaBin Ecological Park,” Tian explained enthusiastically. “To provide the perfect tournament venue, the club started preparing early, ensuring every detail of the course is in top condition for the players, hoping they will achieve great results.”

Later, dressed in traditional Chinese-style cheongsams, the players moved to HuaBin Academy, stepping into a Jiangnan garden with white walls and green tiles. “These buildings are very symmetrical, and the color combinations are very classic. The combination of lapis lazuli blue, crimson red, and dark green represents traditional Chinese aesthetics,” shared Cai Danlin, who had recently won the runner-up at the 2024 Singapore Ladies Masters. Years ago, during a trip to Jiayuguan, she coincidentally met an academician of the Chinese Academy of Architecture and developed a strong interest in Chinese classical architecture.

The 2024 HuaBin China Ladies Elite Tournament, coinciding with the pre-Olympic period, featured a series of “Cheer for the Olympics” cultural events at HuaBin. Holding oil paper umbrellas, the players strolled through the corridors to HuaBin Jiangnan Jin, where the “Cheer for the Olympics” art sketching group was conducting its creative process. Under the patient guidance of Team Leader He Jialin, the four golfers, with no prior calligraphy experience, picked up their brushes for the first time to join the artists in creating the event theme “Cheer for the Olympics,” entering HuaBin!

“I had a brand new experience here,” said Kultida. “Whether it’s Chinese architecture, clothing, or the Chinese characters, I find them all very elegant.” Having competed in China for years, after qualifying through the China LPGA Tour Q-School alongside Yin Ruo Ning, Kultida has grown to love Chinese traditional culture.

For Liu Wenbo and Sui Xiang, who had visited HuaBin Ecological Park before, they were surprised to discover such a rich collection of traditional Chinese elements hidden within. This opportunity allowed them to appreciate the profound cultural heritage of the HuaBin Group.

Exiting the Jiangnan landscape, the players returned to Beijing. Tomorrow, the 2024 HuaBin China Ladies Elite Tournament will hold a press conference, and the players will have their final practice round. From June 27th to 30th, 132 outstanding golfers from eight countries and regions will compete for a substantial prize purse in four rounds. In the midst of a sultry Beijing summer, a thrilling showdown awaits!